Bernie's Rampage Against Disney Proves Capitalism Is More Virtuous Than Socialism | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

Bernie's Rampage Against Disney Proves Capitalism Is More Virtuous Than Socialism

Socialism, and specifically the imprint of socialism that Sen. Sanders is peddling, is simply about control.

133
Bernie's Rampage Against Disney Proves Capitalism Is More Virtuous Than Socialism
Wikimedia Commons

On Saturday, June 2nd, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) lead a rally of Disneyland Resort workers in Anaheim, California regarding an initiative they hope to get on the November ballot requiring Disney to increase the minimum wage for its employees to $15 an hour in 2019 and, ultimately, raise it to $18 an hour by 2022.

Why would the junior senator from Vermont be traveling to California to lead a rally of disgruntled union workers anyway? My guess would be because he's trying to pad his resume for another presidential run in 2020, but that's another discussion for another day.

Regardless of Sen. Sanders' reasoning for being there in the first place, his vehement condemnation of Disney's wage practices highlight the objectionable aspects of socialism rather than, what he believes to be, its righteous qualities.

This is not to say that Disney is a perfect embodiment of capitalism, though. They have received hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies from the City of Anaheim to build hotels, as well as having their gate taxes waived for 30 years in exchange for promising to spend a billion dollars on new attractions.

Which is why I agree with the sentiments of the Mayor of Anaheim, Tom Tait, who has ardently opposed the subsidies that Disney has received, saying that, "When a company asks for and gets these massive subsidies, they shouldn't be surprised that their workers respond like this."

Nevertheless, Disney is proving that capitalism (read: private businesses operating outside the realm of government intervention) is a much better vehicle in making up for discrepancies in wages than socialism (read: government regulation of private businesses).

According to the Los Angeles Times, via Fox News, "The Disneyland Resort announced last week that it previously offered a 36 percent pay increase to about 9,500 resort workers over three years, the Los Angeles Times reported. The offer would provide a minimum salary of $15 an hour by 2020, one year later than the proposed measure."

So, a week after Disney announced their plans to raise the minimum salary of their employees to $15 an hour by 2020, Sen. Sanders decided that was still not good enough and felt his leadership was needed in ensuring that it comes about one year earlier than planned?

This is precisely the problem with socialism and specifically the imprint of socialism that Sen. Sanders is peddling: it is simply about control.

Disney, on its own accord, is fulfilling the very same measure that Sen. Sanders was advocating for in Anaheim on Saturday. But, because it doesn't fit with the timeline that Sen. Sanders has in mind, he believes that the entire process should be overhauled by the government.

Well, in his case I would also agree with Disney spokeswoman, Suzi Brown, when she says that Sen. Sanders is criticizing Disney to keep himself in the headlines. Even so, that doesn't detract from the danger ingrained in his message.

There is no virtue in control. There is only virtue in freedom. Especially when the only difference between Disney's plan and Sen. Sander's plan is who is in control of ensuring it will happen, not whether or not it will happen at all.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

125845
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

28053
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

26145
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments